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Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Program Category
Educational Programs
Audience Age
Pre-teens to seinior Adults
Those who attend this program will be treated to a modern day adventure. In March last year, Sam Ducharme set out on a 2,180 mile, 14 state backpacking trip from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin Maine. During his six month journey he documented the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, the wildlife, the hardships encountered on the trail, as well as the people, culture and humanity at its finest. Come join him as he takes you through the trail towns, over the mountaintops and through the backcountry. The images and stories will leave you with a renewed awe of the beauty of our country and its people.
You will also see his gear, how he cooked, and hear what it is like sleeping in a hammock for six months through three seasons.
Sam Ducharme is a retired K9 Officer and is a lifelong resident of Connecticut. He has two adult sons, both serving in the United States Air Force. As an avid outdoorsman, and finding the empty-nest, Sam decided to buy a backpack and a plane ticket to Georgia. From there, he started walking north. With no prior backpacking experience, he learned on the trail. Gear, trail nutrition, enduring the elements, and the logistics involved in a long distance backpacking trip were hard lessons. After 20 years working within Connecticut’s prisons, the search for a positive recharge resulted in a life changing journey.
$250.
A fee will be added for travel over 50 miles.
Group Size
10- 125
Program Length
2 hrs is best, but 1.5 hrs if requested.
This program requires a means to show pictures utilizing a power point presentation. Projector and screen or large screen monitor/TV. I use my laptop and remote.
Room size correlates with your promotion and core group of attendees. Plan on above average attendance as the subject matter seems to appeal to a lot of people. Last year groups ranged from 25 to 100+ attended, surprising several program directors.
Last Modified
11/03/2016
Recent Library/School Appearances by Sam Ducharme
Katie Bunn
Canton Public Library,Canton,, CT
(860)693-5800
Kathleen Lee
Manchester Public Library, CT
(860)645-0821
Gina Owens
Whittmore Library, Naugatuck, CT
(203)729-4591
Cynthia Wolcott
Lucy Robbins Wells Library, Newington, CT
(860)665-8706
John Soltis
Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport, CT
(203)576-7025
Nick Beams
Pomfret Public Library, Pomfret, CT
(860)928-3475
Patricia Caldwell
Putnam Public Library, Putnam, CT
(860)963-6826
Performer’s Contact Information
Sam Ducharme
Sam DucharmeWoodstock, CT 06281
Here are some of the kind words I’ve received following my programs:
“Hi Sam- Thank you so much for the presentation last night. It was great and I’ll be happy to spread the word among other librarians. You probably aren’t aware of how incredibly lucky we were to have a (bigger) room to move to. Thank you again, it was great”. -Katie Bunn, Canton Public Library. Canton, CT.
“I highly recommend Sam Ducharme and his presentation Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail”. “The program includes stories, beautiful photos, and even a display of much of the gear he used. Topically the program brought inn an unusually large, for this library, audience (100+). Sam was easy to work with, entertaining, and educational, He totally engaged the audience – answering questions and being willing to ‘Mingle’ at the end of the program”. “Allow 2 hours (though attendees will be clamoring for more) and prepare for a crowd”. –Kathleen Lee Manchester Public Library. Manchester, CT
“Sam- Thank you so much for visiting Harwinton last night to present your program on Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail. It was wonderful to have such a large and engaged audience. I feel like we barely scratched the surface of all the wonderful stories you could tell about your time on the trail, and I think our Audience would have stayed all night listening to more. This was an informative and inspiring program.” -Alice Freiler, Harwinton Public Library, Harwinton, CT
“Hi Sam! I loved having you at The Whittemore Library! Everyone was so grateful that I booked you to present your Appalachian Trail program. A lot of the audience came up to me and thanked me before leaving. Your ability to connect with the audience is what makes your presentation so successful, you bring them with you and get them involved in your hike, and they become part of the experience. It is wonderful to see how you can take a room full of strangers and turn them into a lively enthusiastic group.” -Gina Owens, Whittemore Library, Naugatuck, CT
“Hi Sam- Thank you for coming out to Litchfield to share your inspiring story. Everyone absolutely loved it!! I think we may have to have you back again because I know there were many calls to try to get in after we were sold out (80). Ann Marie White, Oliver White Library, Litchfield, CT.